Congressional Changes to the Pell Grant Program

In the 2010-11 academic year, Pell eligible students who attended full-time in the fall and spring 2011 semesters were previously eligible for additional “Year Round” Pell funding in the summer semester as well. In April of 2011, the U.S. Congress passed the Department of Defense and Full-Year Appropriations Act of 2011 which eliminated “Year Round” Pell funding in the 2011-12 academic year for all students nationwide.

How do the changes in Pell Grand funding affect me?

Students who plan to attend full-time (12+ credits in both the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters WILL NOT have access to Pell Grant funding in the Summer of 2012.

Students who plan to attend less-than full-time in either the Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 semesters WILL have limited access to Pell Grant funding in the Summer of 2012.

Example (full-time, year-round):

A student who has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero and planned to attend full-time in the Fall 2011, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012 semesters would have previously been eligible for a first Pell Grant of $5,550 (50% in the fall and 50% in the spring) and second Pell Grant of $2,775 (an additional 50% for the summer). The same student will not be eligible for Pell Grant funds in the summer semester.

Fall ’11 (full-time)

Spring ’12 (full-time)

Summer ’12 (full-time)

Previously

$2,775

$2,775

$2,775

New

$2,775

$2,775

$0

Example (less-than full-time, either Fall 2011 or Spring 2012):

A student who has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero and planned to attend full-time in the Fall 2011, but only half-time in the Spring 2012 and Summer 2012 semesters will still be eligible for Pell Grant funds in the summer semester.

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